Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough won’t face a runoff for his second term.
After early voting results and 107 of 111 precincts reporting, Keough was in the clear with 42,652 (66.12 percent) of the votes with Sara Countryman and Billy Graff with 10,453 (16.21 percent) and 11,399 (17.67 percent) respectively.
“First I give all the credit to the Lord who has walked me through the most significant years of my life. I couldn’t be more pleased,” Keough said Tuesday night. “The people have spoken. The support that I have felt throughout this endeavor has been uncommon and I look forward completing this term and starting the next term next year.”
The former legislator turned county judge left the Texas House of Representatives with a goal to help more people with immediate needs. The desire has been put to the test as Montgomery County saw numerous serious weather events and endured a pandemic that paralyzed the nation.
Keough has faced criticism during his term from taking a hard stance against mask mandates and other restrictions set forth by Gov. Greg Abbott to an arrest for driving while intoxicated. Keough ultimately pleaded guilty and paid $2,000 in fines.
Precinct 2 Commissioner
Montgomery County Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley was on his way to a third term with 107 precincts reporting showed him out front with a solid lead over challenger Jennifer Eckhart.
Riley had 11,713 (56.59 percent) of the votes over Eckhart’s 8,984 (43.41 percent) votes.
Riley remained confident in his re-election, noting he wanted to continue several projects currently underway.
“We have some thing started and we want to continue doing some things,” he said in a previous article. “We have a lot to do over here in Precinct 2. I think someone who has been here, gotten things started should stay here and get things wrapped up.”
Precinct 4 Commissioner
Newcomer Matt Gray was out front of incumbent James Metts with 107 precincts reporting.
Gray had pulled in 5,960 (52.92 percent) votes with Metts trailing with 5,303 (47.08 percent) votes.
Gray ran on the promise that more accountability is needed in Precinct 4.
“I see the need for leadership,” Gray said. “We need plans, transparency and accountability. With the extreme amount of growth, we are seeing on this side of town, we’ve got to act now. We can’t be reactive any longer.”
Gray has worked in the oil and gas industry for 15 years working with contractors and managing projects worldwide. Currently, he is a facilities maintenance construction project manager with Humble ISD.
“I work with public funding and procurement to oversee large district projects,” Gray said adding he has also served on bond committees while at the district. “I will serve as commissioner by prudently maintaining the budget, working with teams to manage the growth that we are experiencing, properly maintaining the roads, improving drainage, fighting to lower taxes.”
The winner of the race will run unopposed on the Nov. 8 ballot.
County clerk
After more than 25 years, Montgomery County will have a new county clerk.
Brandon Steinmann was leading the way with 107 precincts reporting over challenger Jeanie Stewart to take over the reigns from Mark Turnbull who retired after seven terms. Steinmann will run unopposed on the Nov. 8 ballot.
Steinman had secured 42,841 (71.90) with Stewart earning 16,743 (28.10 percent).
“One of my earliest political campaigns was for Mark’s first campaign and I am excited about the opportunity to continue the good work he has been doing as our county clerk,” said Steinmann said in a previous article.
County Court at Law No. 1
John Hafley had a substantial lead over challenger Brian Cain with 107 precincts reporting with 42,458 (72.91 percent) of the votes over Cain with 15,783 (27.09 percent).
“My entire life has been dedicated to the criminal justice system,” he said adding he served as a police officer, prosecutor, operates his own law practice and as a military veteran is currently brigadier general in the United States Army Reserve. “I want to continue that service.”
According to Hafley’s website, as a criminal defense attorney, he has focused on client’s rights under the constitution and embraces The Bill of Rights Hafley has worked in the Montgomery County Court system for nearly a decade and said he understands what it means to be a servant leader.
Hafley will run unopposed on the Nov. 8 ballot.
County Court at Law No. 3
After being appointed to fill the unexpired term of former Judge Patrice McDonald, Tucker appears to have landed her first term on the bench over challenger Laura Watson. Tucker will run unopposed on the Nov. 8 ballot.
With 107 precincts reporting, Tucker had secured 40,641 (68.28 percent) votes over Watson’s 18,876 (31.72 percent) votes.
CCL No. 3 is a family court and handles all Child Protective Services cases filed in Montgomery County after being given that distinction in August 2020 by the Montgomery County Board of Judges. Tucker noted after 12 years as an associate district attorney in Montgomery County, where she specialized in child abuse cases, makes her a good fit for the bench.
“I really spearheaded those efforts to bring all of those cases to County Court at Law No. 3,” Tucker said noting the court handles all the cases for foster children in the county. “I feel it is such an important area of the law that a lot of people don’t know about and a lot of people don’t want to be involved with. They are very difficult cases.”
County Court at Law No. 4
Echo Hutson was on her way from prosecutor to judge after landing 37,032 (63.37 percent) votes over challenger Gary S. Miller who pulled in 21,403 (36.63percent) votes. Hutson will run unopposed on the Nov. 8 ballot.
Hutson has served as the chief prosecutor of the Domestic Violence Division at the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. Over the course of her career, Hutson has served as chief prosecutor over each of Montgomery County’s five misdemeanor court dockets.
In 2011, Hutson helped create Montgomery County’s first Domestic Violence Division severing as the first specialized domestic violence prosecutor in the county and has supervised the specialized Domestic Violence Docket in County Court 4 for the majority of the court’s existence.
“It’s been an incredibly successful docket,” she said adding the only reason she would run for office is the courts focus on domestic violence. “That’s my specialty, that’s what I have been doing so I want to jump in and take that over from the judicial side. Having done that for so long and knowing why we do what we do and knowing what we do, I just think it is a natural fit.”
cdominguez@hcnonline.com